NL folk festival lineup announced

Gord Downie, The Dardanelles and The Masterless Men will be among the headliners for this year’s Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival.

Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society president John Drover announces the lineup for the 2014 Folk festival during a media conference at Erin’s Pub in St. John’s late this afternoon. — Photo by Tara Bradbury/The Telegram

Because of renovations to its traditional home, Bannerman Park, the festival will happen at Bowring Park in St. John’s Aug 8 to 10.

As well, there will be sessions in the Francophone Tent, Oral Traditions Tent, Instrumental Tent and dance workshops held throughout the weekend.

“Every year, the festival provides us with an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent we have in this province, including up-and-coming youth performers,” Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society president John Drover said. “It also gives us a chance to expose musicians from outside the province to our unique brand of folk music, storytelling and dance. Most importantly, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival allows us to come together to celebrate our traditions and foster community.”

This year’s folk fest lineup was announced by the Folk Arts Society at a launch event at Erin’s Pub Thursday afternoon, featuring a performance by The Blue Drop. St. John’s city councillor Sandy Hickman brought greetings to the crowd from the city, promising Bannerman Park would be ready to host the festival again next year.

Organizers are expecting more than 10,000 people to attend over the course of this year’s festival weekend.

A festival schedule and weekend passes are available now at www.nlfolkfestival.com, with sales of tickets for individual shows coming soon.

Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society president John Drover announces the lineup for the 2014 Folk festival during a media conference at Erin’s Pub in St. John’s late this afternoon. — Photo by Tara Bradbury/The Telegram